Group ride dynamics
After joining in a couple of group club rides, a pattern is beginning to emerge. There are four distinct phases of the ride.
1. The calm
2. The storm
3. The chaos
4. The resolve
The calm is characterized by the slow start, warm-up, and chit-chat moments.
The storm comes at the first hill. The first hill invariably breaks up the group.
The chaos arises from riders refusing to admit they can’t stay with the fast group and pedalling for all their worth in an attempt to bridge the gap and rejoin the leaders.
The resolve comes after the non-leaders regroup. This is about 1/2 to 2/3rds of the way through the ride. Only now can I ride fast and comfortably in the group. I’m not afraid of slipping out of my leader’s draft and getting blown back.